Kevin Matthews may be more of a technician than Velasco (and definitely is than Harris), so perhaps that's why he's getting the nod.

I think our OG situation is doable with Hutch at LG and Harris at RG, and despite not being addressed in the draft, it's significantly better than last year. Scott leaving is addition by subtraction, and adding Hutch, even if he's not an All Pro at this point, is a flat out upgrade.

I haven't been as big of an Amano hater as everyone else. Mainly because I want to see how well he plays when he doesn't have trash on either side of him. But if he struggles this season, then pass-blocking and being able to make the proper line calls shouldn't save him. For me, Center is the #2 most important position on the OL behind LT, and the OL hasn't been dominant at run-blocking since Mawae left and Amano took over. Plus, they've lost their mean streak.

I put very little true value on the Center position as long as the are smart and a technician.

At certain positions you need true players that are the total package that can handle someone one on one. At Center, they almost always get help or it's someone on the second level they block one on one.

At the point in his career we had him, Mawae had very little physical talent left. But, he was smart and technically sound. That's why I'm amazed at how far the run-blocking has fallen, because Amano is arguably more physically gifted than Mawae. I just can't fully comprehend what happened.

Usually guys are stronger at a higher weight, but maybe it hurts his movement. Either way I think he is what he is at this point in his career. I want to see more of what the other guys have again in the preseason.

I just read something about Gray changing the D a lot this year to more of his style. He said that last year they basically had to run a D the Titans ran 2 years ago. Now with enough offseason, he plans to use his stuff. I'm hoping the D can significantly improve after hearing that and knowing we should have some new good additions and more contribution from some existing players.

Just read Shaun Smith was 362 lbs last year :holyshiz:
He wants to play at 330-335 this year. Maybe his hard work will pay off and help the d-line rotation. I wonder how much of a fight DaJohn Harris will put up?

So who's ya'lls draft crush for next year? I'm thinking Eric Reid is mine right now.

I think he was listed at like 320-325, but goes to show again those listings can be off.

Way too early to say. But being this is a draft website, I should have a say, right?

So as far as needs, we may need interior o-line, but we've seen yet again they just don't value one in the 1st round. So maybe a DT, Star Lolutlelei or Jonathon Hankins...yet I haven't seen either play. I'll start paying more attention when the season gets rolling.

I hate reading too much into news articles, but some things I've read have me wondering what kinda shot Tommie Campbell has at starting outside? Gray said he has the 2nd best technique at CB, and everyone raves about his size and speed. Verner is getting lots of talk as the NB, which Gray considers very important. Sure they could use Verner just like Cortland last year, but it's gonna be fun watching how these guys play compete outside.

Just read Shaun Smith was 362 lbs last year :holyshiz:
He wants to play at 330-335 this year. Maybe his hard work will pay off and help the d-line rotation. I wonder how much of a fight DaJohn Harris will put up?

I didn't realize he was up that high, but I do know the reason he got less playing time over the course of the season was due to him being overweight and in an article Jerry Gray said he wanted Smith to work on getting more penetration

I hate reading too much into news articles, but some things I've read have me wondering what kinda shot Tommie Campbell has at starting outside? Gray said he has the 2nd best technique at CB, and everyone raves about his size and speed. Verner is getting lots of talk as the NB, which Gray considers very important. Sure they could use Verner just like Cortland last year, but it's gonna be fun watching how these guys play compete outside.

I'm hoping he gets the chance to play outside, I'd feel alot better with him outside and Verner inside than Verner outside and Sensabaugh/Mouton inside.

I hope Tommie Campbell is going to live up to all this praise he is getting. Everyone has gone out of their way to talk about how good he looks (Verner, Shaun Smith, Munchak, Hasselbeck, McCourty and Jerry Gray). Dude has unlimited potential.

Kendall Wright and Damian Williams are getting reps at PR/KR. We all love Mariani, but he adds nothing to the receiving game and is now buried on the depth chart. If Wright or Williams can be a similar consistent style returner, with the explosive return sprinkled here and there, then it'd free up a roster spot for, say, another DT like DaJohn Harris, TE so we can keep all of Cook, Stevens, Graham, and develop Thompson gradually, or keep both Tim Shaw and Patrick Bailey. Fisher was against having a sole PR/KR specialist who could only return and nothing else, and that's what Mariani is becoming. Maybe Munch will carry the same philosophy, or perhaps consistency and hard work will keep Mariani's roster spot intact. I'm not saying he should be cut or traded. Pro Bowl returners don't grow on trees, and we don't want another you know what situation (I ain't even gonna say it, man). But it's something to watch.

Also, just some cool news, the Titans are giving away a ticket to every person who participates in the St. Jude 5K Marathon coming up in August at LP Field. They give you the choice of one of the three divisional home games. In case some of ya'll don't know, I'm a cancer survivor and went to St. Jude to receive my treatment when I was 11 years old. They not only provided my treatment for free, but also provided me and my mom housing, grocery money, and reimbursed us gas money whenever we would make the trip back home to Chattanooga. They pretty much took care of our every need, and had a support system to turn an otherwise horrible ordeal into something more conquerable. It's a spectacular place that's very dear to me, so for you guys around Nashville, it's not only a way to get a free ticket, but also support a great cause. SO DO IT!

Yeah Hope I can see Mariani being a casualty. The KR's role is diminished now, and we have other options that are also more valuable as WR's. We haven't seen much of Mariani as a WR, but I doubt we have the next Wes Welker. Otoh, with more of a pass happy O, maybe they will value him as depth. Not sure I want more than 3 TE's, but I always like extra d line depth since they rotate a lot.

I'm glad you kicked cancers ass ;) I can't imagine having to go through that as a kid. I try to be a grown man and not cry much, but seeing kids at St. Jude can make the toughest man break down. I have donated to St. Jude in the past and will again. I love hearing success stories like yours :)